Home > World > Child health conditions improving in India but more budget needed to get rid of deaths: Bill Gates

Child health conditions improving in India but more budget needed to get rid of deaths: Bill Gates

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Washington: Child health is improving in India year by year but both the central and the state governments need to invest more money to get rid of the deaths and improve the nutrition, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said Tuesday.

He said the vaccine coverage rates have gone up a lot in India and new vaccines which are brought in would have a big impact.

"Well, definitely, year by year, child health in India is improving. And the Indian government and a lot of state leaders deserve credit for doing things like improving vaccination coverage," Gates, who now heads the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, told reporters during a conference call.

Responding to a question on his impression about the situation of health and education, Gates recollected when he and his foundation started in Bihar and UP, vaccine coverage was below 40 per cent.

This he said was causing hundreds of thousands of deaths that were not necessary.

While a lot of good things have happened, he said, India had been somewhat behind on malnutrition problem.

"I would say that the overall budget, the amount going from the federal and state level into health still falls short of what we think should be invested to get rid of the deaths and improve the nutrition," Gates said.

"But, overall, the trends are very positive and we have great partnerships there where we're working all the time, particularly in the north, but also at the federal level to improve health and improve nutrition," Gates said.

India's new digital infrastructure gives some good opportunities to address some of the key challenges of poverty, health and education, he said.

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 20)You are likely to remain careful and watchful today, foretells Ganesha. And because you'll be invited to parties and other social events, your enthusiasm will remain buoyant. You will also strike the right balance between business and pleasure, says Ganesha.